Ink Tempera Resist Technique Follow Up

Here's the now finished portrait from the last post.  Even in its unpainted form, I considered it unsuccessful.  There were too many places where the tempera was applied too thinly and the ink found a home where it shouldn't have.  The unsightly blob on her forehead being the most obvious.

So why did I continue on and add color?  Practice, practice, practice.  Remember, the only failure is failure to try.  So I soldiered on.  I used blue as a shadow color.  Not so much.  But, I think it could be really effective as a reflected light or secondary light source.  Very dramatic.  I also really like the swirls in the background which, originally, were a second thought.  If I liked this piece, I would probably add more color to the background.  I also got to see what actual color my four greens were... new watercolor set and all.  I like the necklace.  The highlights really made it pop.  Now, to what makes this piece a bomb... not the bomb... a bomb. 

Like I said before, I didn't have full control of the tempera and, as such, the ink ended up places I didn't want it.  The schmutz on her forehead (what is that?).  Various random streaks on her face.  The top arrow with the check mark shows were the texture from the ink works.  It shows a shadow area.  I meant to do that.  No, really, I did.  The arrow below it with the x shows where it works against the painting.  That mark makes her breast look strange... like she couldn't commit and only had the boob job on one side.  Unfortunately, I meant to do that mark, too.  Live and learn. 

I'll try this image again.  Practice, practice, practice!